Can Challenges Build Better Entrepreneurs Than Classrooms?

We often talk about learning with a perception of sitting in a closed classroom with books and pens. The traditional concept of knowledge from schools is based on a particular system, subjects and timelines. Often, young entrepreneurs surprise us by ditching this framework and making something magical outside the classroom. 

This directly reminds me of Ishan from Taare Zameen Par and the innovative school of Phunsuk Wangdu from 3 Idiots. The young generation is thinking so much faster and better. There is always a debate about how phones and screens in any form are hazardous for children, but when it comes to using them right, students surpass our capabilities.

One such extraordinary child is Jainam Jain, born to Mamata and Dhiraj Jain. His parents played a key role in making sure that knowledge was not limited to classroom walls. Ever since he was 6 years old, he attended business meetings with his father. At the age of 10, he was reading 50 books in 50 days and doing networking events with his sister across Maharashtra. 

Jainam Jain built Mengo Engine, an AI-based service platform for marketing and lead-nurturing, which now allows him to have an office on the 141st floor of the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Who Is Jainam Jain?

Jainam was born in Pune, India. He and his sister Jivika have been taking up challenges to test their limits and gain knowledge from practical experiences rather than day-to-day classroom teaching, with liberty from their parents to walk on such a path. At just 7 years old, his YouTube channel crossed 100,000 subscribers.

He has delivered 120 speeches in 50 days across Maharashtra, following which he was invited to speak on the TEDx stage. He has spoken to 250-300 schools, universities and corporate events across the globe, talking about his challenges and breaking the age barrier. He also spoke about his startup company. After this, at the age of 13, he took up a 105-day challenge to finish his 10th grade and rightfully did so too.

Through workflows and management techniques being developed at the time of building Mengo Engine, he applied for 5 patents, 3 of which are already in his name, and the other 2 are pending. For a 14-year-old, he is already winning more than most.

We got to speak to this incredible young founder about his journey and what he plans to do next. Below is what he has to say:

Q1. Everyone talks about your office in the Burj Khalifa, but what achievement are you personally most proud of that people rarely ask about?
A. The Burj Khalifa office is an important milestone, but it's only one part of my journey. What I'm most proud of are the achievements that came before it, especially initiatives like the 50-Day Mission and the impact those efforts created. Those experiences shaped who I am today and continue to motivate me every day.

Q2. What is this 50-day challenge, and do you have any more upcoming challenges?
A. So I started in 2020, when I read a religious book in 50 days. In 2021, I attended 50 networking events in 50 days. In 2022, I read 50 books in 50 days and in 2023, I learned 50 skills and applied them in our day-to-day life, like leadership, time management, etc. In 2024, I went to India and did 100 events across Maharashtra and inspired people. In just 40 days, I completed 100 events, and in 50 days I completed 120 events. We inspired more than 50,000 people, and after that, rather than a 50-day challenge, we took a 105-day challenge; I cleared my 10th-grade exam. I also took a 1000-day challenge to start and grow my startup, Mengo Engine. 

Q3. What's the biggest technical challenge you've faced so far?
A. One of the biggest technical challenges has been building a large and complex product while maintaining speed and simplicity. Bringing together multiple components, ensuring they work seamlessly, and making the final product easy for users to understand and adopt.

Q4. Was there a day when you ever felt like giving up, or you know, like, this can't go any further while developing? 
A. No, there were challenges that I faced, such as whether it was possible to do this, whether it was not, etc. But I never faced the thought that you should stop there. I just wanted to continue moving ahead and improve.

Q5. Has being a founder changed how you approach school?
A. In some ways, yes. I completed my IGCSE Grade 10 earlier than most students, which gave me more flexibility to focus on entrepreneurship. Being a founder has also provided opportunities to learn through real-world experiences, helping me grow beyond what a traditional classroom environment alone could offer.

Q6. Would you rather build one billion-dollar company or ten impactful startups?
A. I would rather build ten impactful startups. My goal is to create meaningful change and help as many people as possible. The impact created through multiple ventures can often reach more people and solve a wider range of problems.

Q7. So is there any other field other than AI and technology that you would like to explore or start up with? 
A. As of now, no. I currently see a lot of potential in AI, and I want to work on that. 

Q8. What's a dream collaboration you'd love to make happen?
A. I would love to collaborate with some of the world's most motivational, influential, and impactful leaders—people who are creating positive change and inspiring others to think bigger and achieve more.

Q9. Mengo Engine was started before AI became mainstream. What convinced you there was a real business opportunity instead of just a technology trend?
A. Mengo Engine was created because I saw a major challenge in the marketing and lead-nurturing industry. Traditional agencies often require significant manual effort, and even with AI tools, users still need to know how to write effective prompts and manage the process. I believed there was an opportunity to simplify this entire workflow and help businesses achieve better marketing outcomes through automation and intelligent systems.

Q10. Do you think that the product that you're developing will replace the human workforce that is working? 
A. I feel like it won't replace, but it will amplify. It will help new startups. It will help new infrastructures.

Q11. Do you feel that you have a workforce that can stick by you with your dreams for the next five years? Have you gotten that team? 
A. So I have an agency that does all of the work. So I don't have a workforce. I don't have a single employee under me.

Q12. . At your age, who mentors you, and have you ever found yourself mentoring adults?
A. My primary mentors are my father and mother. In addition, I work with mentors in business and retail who help guide my growth and decision-making. While I have not had an executive mentor yet, I regularly learn from experienced professionals and mentors in business, AI, and entrepreneurship. At the same time, through speaking engagements, workshops, and business discussions, I have often found myself sharing knowledge and insights with adults, particularly in areas such as AI, technology, and entrepreneurship.

The Takeaway

Jainam Jain used simple techniques and a billion-dollar-worthy mindset to create what most students dream of. Mengo Engine is an AI-based platform that works as a co-founder to help businesses create marketing campaigns, lead generation, and facilitate customer communication. All you have to do is enter your details and then refine the plans to execute them as per your convenience.

Students definitely receive the best education in classrooms, but examples like this show why it is necessary to encourage curiosity. Young entrepreneurs are resolving real-world problems without any external help and with low funds. As the government gears up to aid these small entrepreneurs, this is a significant turning point for startups and founders to make the best of it.